Kia Forte: Active ECO operation

Active ECO helps improve fuel efficiency by controlling the engine and transaxle.
But fuel-efficiency can be affected by the driver's driving habits and road conditions.

When the Active ECO button is pressed the ECO indicator (green) will illuminate
to show that the Active ECO is operating.

When the Active ECO is activated, it does not turn off even though the
engine is restarted again. To turn off the system, press the active ECO button
again.

If Active ECO is turned off, it will return to the normal mode.

Limitation of Active ECO operation:

If the following conditions occur while Active ECO is operating, the system operation
is limited even though there is no change in the ECO indicator.

When the coolant temperature is low: The system will be limited until
engine performance becomes normal.

When driving up a hill: The system will be limited to gain power when
driving uphill because the engine torque is restricted.

When using sports mode: The system will be limited according to the shift
location.

When the accelerator pedal is fully pressed for a few seconds: The system
will be limited,as it has determined that the driver has accelerated judging
that the driver wants to speed up.

Economical operation

Your vehicle's fuel economy depends mainly on your style of driving, where you
drive and when you drive.

Each of these factors affects how many miles (kilometers) you can get from a
gallon (liter) of fuel.To operate your vehicle as economically as possible, use
the following driving suggestions to help save money in both fuel and repairs:

Drive smoothly. Accelerate at a moderate rate. Don't make "jackrabbit"
starts or full-throttle shifts and maintain a steady cruising speed. Don't race
between stoplights. Try to adjust your speed to the traffic so you don't have
to change speeds unnecessarily. Avoid heavy traffic whenever possible. Always
maintain a safe distance from other vehicles so you can avoid unnecessary braking.
This also reduces brake wear.

Drive at a moderate speed. The faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle
uses. Driving at a moderate speed, especially on the highway, is one of the
most effective ways to reduce fuel consumption.

Don't "ride" the brake pedal. This can increase fuel consumption and also
increase wear on these components. In addition, driving with your foot resting
on the brake pedal may cause the brakes to overheat, which reduces their effectiveness
and may lead to more serious consequences.

Take care of your tires. Keep them inflated to the recommended pressure.
Incorrect inflation, either too much or too little, results in unnecessary tire
wear. Check the tire pressures at least once a month.

Be sure that the wheels are aligned correctly. Improper alignment can
result from hitting curbs or driving too fast over irregular surfaces. Poor
alignment causes faster tire wear and may also result in other problems as well
as greater fuel consumption.

Keep your vehicle in good condition. For better fuel economy and reduced
maintenance costs, maintain your vehicle in accordance with the maintenance
schedule in section 7. If you drive your vehicle in severe conditions, more
frequent maintenance is required (see section 7 for details).

Keep your vehicle clean. For maximum service, your vehicle should be kept
clean and free of corrosive materials. It is especially important that mud,
dirt, ice, etc. not be allowed to accumulate on the underside of the vehicle.
This extra weight can result in increased fuel consumption and also contribute
to corrosion.

Don't let the engine idle longer than necessary. If you are waiting (and
not in traffic), turn off your engine and restart only when you're ready to
go.

Remember, your vehicle does not require extended warm-up. After the engine
has started, allow the engine to run for 10 to 20 seconds prior to placing the
vehicle in gear. In very cold weather, however, give your engine a slightly
longer warmup period.

Don't "lug" or "over-rev" the engine. Lugging is driving too slowly in
a very high gear resulting in engine bucking. If this happens, shift to a lower
gear. Over-revving is racing the engine beyond its safe limit. This can be avoided
by shifting at the recommended speed.

Use your air conditioning sparingly. The air conditioning system is operated
by engine power so your fuel economy is reduced when you use it.

Open windows at high speeds can reduce fuel economy.

Fuel economy is reduced by crosswinds and headwinds. To help offset some
of this loss, slow down when driving in these conditions.

Keeping a vehicle in good operating condition is important both for economy and
safety. Therefore, have an authorized Kia dealer perform scheduled inspections and
maintenance.

WARNING - Engine off during motion

Never turn the engine off to coast down hills or anytime the vehicle is in
motion. The power steering and power brakes will not function properly without the
engine running. In addition, turning off the ignition while driving could engage
the steering wheel lock resulting in loss of vehicle steering. Keep the engine on
and downshift to an appropriate gear for engine braking effect.

Description
EPS (Electronic power steering, Column assist type) system uses an electric
motor to assist the steering force and it is an engine operation independent
steering system.
EPS control modu ...